There is no doubt Salsa is one of the most rewarding dances you can learn. So what is it? It is a brilliant, hot and spicy dance that will inspire Latin rhythms in everyone.
The steps are super-easy to pick up. So the time it takes you to learn your first few steps and be able to dance Salsa is far, far shorter than you might think.
It's probably the easiest and quickest dance to pick up.
That makes it the perfect dance for complete beginners.
It is possible to learn enough steps and moves in one single class to make you feel that you could go to a club and dance the night away without making an idiot of yourself.
It's a great dance that'll make you smile and give you confidence, all set to a hot Latin beat.
It's just great fun...
Here's the good news; you don't need a partner to learn or dance Salsa with.
One of the greatest advantages of this dance is that you can learn it as an individual OR a partner dance. It's both.
You don't need to feel self-conscious learning on your own or going to a class alone - it's actually to your advantage.
You'll become a much more capable dancer, and much faster, too, if you first learn the steps on your own.
In fact, the best instructors teach everyone to dance on their own first, long before getting pupils to dance with a partner.
Dancing
with a partner is something you should aim for once you are confident
with your dancing. But don't expect to do this straight away.
Of
course dancing with someone is very exciting, but they aren't going to
stick around long if you keep standing on their feet. So being able to
confidently execute a wide range of steps is vital if you are going to
eventually dance well with a partner.
The great thing is that, the steps you learn solo are exactly the same as the steps you'll do with a partner.
So once you are confident
with your dancing, to dance with a partner all you have to do is face
them, take their hands in yours and you'll be dancing together. Easy.
BUT, in order to stay synchronized
with each other and in time with the music AND dance with feeling, both
the leader and the follower need to have a good understanding of the
basic rhythms, steps, counting patterns and movements.
Don't be impatient. Get confident with your own moves first. Really dance. Then grab your partner. Strictly in that order.
You'll see that our own beginners program teaches everybody individually, rather than in pairs. And it really works.
Salsa translates as 'Sauce' – a mixture of lots of ingredients. And there are lots of different dances and traditions that go into that sauce.
The varieties you can specialize in once you are confident of the basic steps and counting patterns range from traditional Cuban, to folkloric dances from Colombia, Merengue, Puerto Rican, Salsa Jazz fusion, Afro-Cuban, New York, and Mambo.
But for now, enjoy learning the basics. You'll be able to pick them up in just one lesson.
Follow all our tips and tricks on learning Salsa dancing fast - including what clothes and shoes you may need, simple instruction of moves and unique demonstrations of easy routines you can copy at home...
Just follow our guide by clicking below. You can read through each section in turn and then finally you'll get to try your first few steps with our beginners class...